Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in chicago, IL

Guest Post: Nutrition Tips for Busy Moms and Dads

by Caitlin Giles

March 02, 2009

I know, I know, being a parent is tough.  We're so focused on taking
care of our children that sometimes we forget to take care of
ourselves.  Nutrition-wise, we often take the quick and easy way out
-- a cookie here, a bag of chips there, a cup of coffee for breakfast,
half of our children's mac-n-cheese at dinnertime .  I'm as guilty as
anyone.  But what's a busy parent to do? Today's guest posters, Bonnie
Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, serve up five great ways parents can
maintain a healthy lifestyle even in the midst of all the childhood
chaos.  As registered dieticians, they know the ins and outs of good
nutrition.  Even more important, they are moms who understand that our
busy, crazy schedules means we need quick, manageable solutions -- and
all the help we can get.
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5 Basic Boosts for Busy Parents
From Two Spicy Moms
Bonnie Johnson, MS, RD and Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, LDN (on behalf of
trim®)
 
1) Kick Up Your Heels - Don't make exercise a daunting chore. Have a
20-minute dance party with the kids. Everyone gets to pick one song.
Try out different rhythms or steps like hula, cha-cha, the twist or
the oldie-but-goodie chicken dance.
 
2) Faster Fruits- Often, we are so focused on getting our children to
eat healthy, we forget about ourselves (sound familiar?) And most of
us need to at least double our daily dose of fruit. So, instead of
trying to count that strawberry cheesecake as a serving, try:
 

• 1/2 cup applesauce - Add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
• 1 can of trim® Juice drink - New from Tree Top, one can
• counts as a 1/2 cup of fruit serving and comes in yum flavors like Mango Peach and Strawberry Kiwi)
• 1/4 cup dried fruit - Try tossed into cereal, over a salad or eaten on the go

 
3) Satiety is the new buzzword in healthy eating-it's that feeling of
satisfaction after a meal or snack. It makes sense - if you are
satisfied longer, you won't scarf down those extra calories you really
don't need (like the remnants of junior's PB&J.) Fiber has great
satiating power.  Shoot for getting more fiber by choosing cereals
with five grams or more fiber per serving, tossing a can of beans into
a pasta dish, having a small bowl of popcorn  or enjoying a single
serve can of trim® which has three grams of fiber per serving.
 
4) Get Some Extra Zs - That's sounds dreamy but how do you get your
head on the pillow when  you are multitasking long after the kids are
in bed? Research shows that a good night sleep can reduce stress,
improve your memory and even increase your success at weight loss.
While experts recommend at least 8 hours a night, start by going to
bed just 15 minutes early. Do that every night for a month - and see
how you feel (and if you can up it another 15 minutes.) And yes, this
is one of Deanna's New Year's resolutions.
 
5) Cover Your Bases - As dietitians, we recommend getting your
vitamins and minerals from food first. But as moms, we know you can't
have it all. Add a basic multivitamin to your morning routine just to
be sure. But remember, it's called a supplement because it SUPPLEMENTS
your diet (rather than replaces food) - and really, we're all about
keeping as much tasty and healthy food in your diet as possible!)
 
 
 

Mom and Dad's Big Night Out!

by Caitlin Giles

February 06, 2009

Sometimes Moms and Dads need a night out without the kids - this is a universal truth. But it isn't always so easy to get away for a few hours to catch a show or enjoy some adult conversation over a meal that doesn't include chicken nuggets. And sometimes it can be really tough to find a good babysitter to make it all possible. Check out these options for your next parent's night out. Parent's  Read more...

Five Things To Do With Friends -- Mama Friends, That Is

by Caitlin Giles

September 16, 2008

All Mamas need a break from time to time. And sometimes it is fun for a group of Mamas to take a breather from the kiddos and do something together (other than sit in a sandbox and make small talk). These are some of my favorite Mama Outings in the Chicago area (all tried and tested by your truly). Massages for Mamas. If you are looking for some Mommy pampering, look no  Read more...

Flourish Studios: Manis for Mommies and So Much More

by Caitlin Giles

July 30, 2008

Have you heard about Flourish Studios in Lakeview? This is a wonderful new family resource that has lots of offer your preschooler (and you too). Flourish Studios is a multi-faceted space offering therapeutic guidance, inspirational products, and positive community-focused events. Here are some of the most family-friendly events and offerings that I came across in the beautiful  Read more...

Hey Mamas, Do You Know About the Babywearing Conference?

by Caitlin Giles

June 23, 2008

Chicago is home to the 2 nd annual international Babywearing Conference: Carrying the Future ( isn't that a cute theme? ). The conference is being held from June 25 th through June 28th at DePaul University . As a Mama to two little ones, I have found that slings, backpacks, and other baby-carrying apparatuses are completely essential to navigating life with a baby and an active  Read more...

A Night Out for Mom and Dad

by Caitlin Giles

June 20, 2008

As much as I love showing my little ones all that Chicago has to offer, I also like taking in the sights . . . without them. On the rare occasions when my husband and I are able to wrangle a babysitter (that post is for another day), we like to take advantage of some of the city's cultural offerings sans the bambinos. Here are two different summer-themed itineraries for a Mom and Dad's  Read more...